By Charles Lefebvre

Eagle Butte High School modernization begins

Jun 18, 2018 | 4:14 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Four years after it was first announced, the modernization of Eagle Butte High School is now underway.

The school hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Monday morning, marking the start of the project.

“It did take a long time to get all the things in place that we needed, but (it’s) exciting times,” said school principal Mark Heinricks. “Now that the crews are here and working, and we’re talking about moving classrooms and all that, it’s real and alive and there’s lots of energy.”

The provincial government first announced the modernization project in 2014. The project was held up in the design phase at one point, as the cost of septic tank replacement work was higher than originally budgeted.

The project has a budget of $5.9 million, and it the first major work on the school since it opened in 1996.

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The modernization will include replacements of the school’s heating and air conditioning system, as well as the installation of solar panels on the roof. A major component of the modernization will be a new industrial arts space in the west end of the building.

However, it’s far from the only change the school will see.

“Our cosmetology lab will be moved and double expanded,” said Heinricks. “Our art rooms is going to moved, and that will be increased due to the numbers that are using the program. “

“Our science area is going to be totally revamped. Our foods area is also going to be moved, and our special ed area is going to be increased and revamped as well. Those are the major kinds of adjustments.”

Heinricks adds preparations are underway to minimize disruptions while the work is underway during the school year.

“They’re going to try and get one of our wings done this summer, which is critical,” he said. “We have about six teachers moving out of their classrooms, boxing everything up, finding storage areas and doing what we can. Then, when that area gets done, we move another set of teachers to another area, and it’s kind of in and out and all over the place. There will be lots of patience needed.”

The goal is to have the modernization finished by Summer 2019.